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Nickelodeon releases Nick app for iPad

Kids have it all these days -- tailor-madegadgets, their own little corners in mobile platforms, and of course, loadsandloads of content. The latest to hit the wires is the Nick app for the iPad, offering a slew of Nickelodeon programming wrapped in a swipe-driven, tyke-friendly interface. The goodies include animated shorts, videos, games, the ability to mark favorites, plus a smorgasbord of funny interactive elements and a "Do Not Touch" button that promises disruptive fun. Full episodes of the current shows can also be accessed if you've subscribed to Nickelodeon's TV package via any one of eight providers. Seems like a swell way to keep those tech-savvy rug rats occupied between outdoor adventures and some DIY action. The 45MB payload is waiting at the source link, yours for the hard-to-argue cost of free.

Available Today in App Store, the "Nick App" Features Over 1,000 pieces of Nick Content, Including Original Short-Form Video, Games, Full-Length Episodes; Allows Kids to Watch and Play Nick in a Whole New Way

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon today announced the launch of the Nick App, a branded experience that allows kids to interact with Nick in unprecedented ways. Available initially for iPad, the Nick App features a moveable tile layout that can be swiped in any direction, promoting discovery and exploration and offering kids instant and on-demand access to more than 1,000 pieces of Nickelodeon-themed content. It includes short-form videos of original skits, sketch and comedic bits; behind-the-scenes clips and photos from Nick stars and animated characters; as well as kid polls and newly created games at launch.

Full-length episodes of Nickelodeon's current top shows also will be available via subscriber authentication through participating TV providers. The Nick App is free of charge, available from any U.S. location with high-speed internet connection.

"The Nick App creates a new platform unlike anything else available to kids today," said Steve Youngwood, EVP and General Manager, Digital, Nickelodeon Group. "The Nick App is the one place where kids can watch and play Nickelodeon and experience the complete fun and funny of our brand, wherever and whenever they want."

The Nick App will add new content daily, and kids will be able to put selected content into a "favorites" drawer to watch whenever they want. True to the spirit of Nickelodeon, the app offers an array of funny interactive elements, as well as a featured "Do Not Touch" button that triggers an array of disruptive comedy and surprises.

Additionally, the Nick App will also serve as a creative sandbox for Nickelodeon, incubating new original animated and live-action content that will attract repeat viewing, launch shareable content and spin-off new series for television. Nickelodeon will also launch a Nick Jr. preschool version of the app later this year.

Content highlights of the Nick App include: • An offering of HTML5 games at launch, with a new game added every week; • Music and remixes, including an original SpongeBob SquarePants remix, created by electronic music artist Pogo, for launch; • Weekly videos offering tips and previews of new Nick games; • Short-form content featuring Nickelodeon's live-action stars performing skits, comedic music videos, parodies and more; • "On the Road with BTR," a docu-reality series that gives kids an inside look at the daily lives of Big Time Rush; • Nick Studio 10, a new live, daily afternoon show where four kids challenge each other to make funny content every day, will be featured in the app and air on Nickelodeon beginning this spring.

Full-length episodes in the Nick App can be accessed by households that subscribe to a TV service package with Nickelodeon from any one of eight distributors, including AT&T U-verse, Bright House Networks, Cablevision, DIRECTV, RCN, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS, which collectively reach almost 50 million homes.

The Nick App is ad-supported and currently available free for iPad via the App Store, and will roll out on additional devices in the coming months.

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).